Animal Science and WelfareBSc (Hons)

Course overview

The BSc (Hons) Animal Science and Welfare degree at Teesside provides you with the skillset to support the animal care industry.

You can complete an optional work placement year as part of this degree course at no extra cost.

The animal care industry is worth £1bn to the UK economy and has 13,000 businesses and around 78,000 employees. It includes boarding kennels, catteries, pet breeders, training, grooming, animal welfare charities, zoos, wildlife parks, public services and performing animals in film and television.

There are three core themes:

animal science and genetics

animal behaviour

animal welfare

Most of your time is spent at our Middlesbrough campus where you study the theory and science related to animals.

Specialist modules in Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare themes are delivered at the Houghall Farm site of East Durham College, where you are supported by specialist staff. You are provided with transport to attend Houghall Farm, normally on one day a week.

The Houghall Farm site, set on a stunning 476-acre estate, minutes from Durham city centre, is a fantastic place to work with animals. A purpose-built small animal care centre was has several specialist facilities including a snake house, lizard house, tortoise house, aquatics, small mammals house and an aviary. There is also a commercial dog grooming studio, 22-bay dog kennel and a dog agility and walking area. The site is also home to horse riding stables, an arena and commercial pig and cattle facilities.

Watch this short film about wildlife in Teesside from BBC Winterwatch.

Course details

Course structure

Year 1 core modules

This module introduces the themes of ecology, diversity, variation within animals and plants, population biology and the complexity within ecosystems, and the relationships between animals and plants and their environment. You gain a thorough introduction to these themes within the lecture series and are given example problems to solve within tutorials. Learning is supported by a field trip surveying diversity within the local area, and laboratory sessions exploring the physiology of animals and plants.

You learn about animal anatomy and physiology, basic nutrition and digestion, as well as husbandry, management and production systems of these large animals. You explore subjects such as the growth and welfare of farmed animals and horses, protein evaluation systems for ruminants and non-ruminants, and comparisons to wild animals where applicable. Practical sessions are delivered at the East Durham College Houghall Campus and focus on the methodologies used to safely handle large animals. You gain hands-on experience of animal husbandry, nutrition and health.

You study the concept of evolution and how it led to the development of biodiversity and the world we now inhabit. You discuss evolution by natural selection and our development from the common ancestor, along with the principles of taxonomy, speciation and the evolutionary tree to demonstrate relationships between species. We highlight the impact of modern molecular methods of taxonomy in the form of phylogenetics, particularly the discovery of the domain of archaea. We discuss the complex biodiversity of the microbial, plant and animal worlds and their importance in ecological balance for the earth, human kind and society in the form of conservation. Lectures and tutorial sessions provide an insight into the theoretical aspects of evolution and biodiversity, and you discuss and analyse problem-based exercises to affirm your theoretical knowledge.

Knowledge of the degree subject is not the only thing you learn whilst at university and it’s not the only thing that potential employers are looking for after graduation. You also need to develop a range of skills applicable for a variety of career pathways These include your ability to articulate yourself clearly, confidently and effectively to different audiences; to work independently or on your own initiative demonstrating creativity and adaptability when tackling problems where you don’t have all the necessary information available; to locate information and critically assess its usefulness; and to make efficient and effective use of the latest information technology.

You also learn to assess your own performance, giving you the chance to recognise and build on your strengths, and identify and improve your weaknesses as a way to raise your aspirations. This module also introduces you to basic principles and good practice in collecting, recording and evaluating data, and using information resources and referencing. You also consider the assessment and handling of scientific errors. You review a range of basic mathematical skills and introduce statistical methods that are essential in a wide range of scientific endeavour. Emphasis is placed on using spreadsheets for data recording, presentation and statistical analysis.

We introduce you to animal welfare, developing your understanding of how the impact of the environment on both farmed and companion animals can affect animals’ wellbeing. You discuss the complex issues of animal welfare from a scientific, ethical and practical perspective as well as being aware of the relationship between the animal and the environment and how it can influence the overall welfare of the animal. Practical sessions are delivered at the East Durham College Houghall Campus and focus on animal welfare together with the relationship between the animal and the environment in which it lives.

The cellular basis of all living organisms is one of the characteristics which defines life. This module explores the common features and the immense diversity of form and function displayed by cells of organisms. The module will increase your understanding of biological processes at the cellular level. It covers the structure and function of major cellular components and examines how fundamental processes within cells are organised and regulated, such as gene and protein expression. It also addresses the mechanisms by which cells divide, reproduce and differentiate. You study the historical development of cell biology and microbiology advances in theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline. You explore how knowledge of the biology of microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, has informed the identification and control of infectious diseases. You also examine the beneficial roles of many microorganisms and their utilisation in genetic engineering and biotechnology.

Year 2 core modules

You develop your knowledge of animal behaviour, a discipline that encompasses both the mechanisms and evolutionary function of the way animals interact with environment and with each other. We provide you with a comprehensive introduction to the scientific approach of studying, quantifying and interpreting animal behaviour including how captivity can change behaviour. Practical sessions are delivered at the East Durham College Houghall Campus and focus on the methodologies used to observe and analyse animal behaviour, looking at how captivity and humans can change the behaviour of a range of species.

You learn about domestic and exotic animal physiology, basic nutrition and digestion, husbandry and management. You also explore how the application of scientific principles can govern the nutrition, health and welfare of major companion animal species including dogs, cats and rabbits as well as exotic species and zoo animals. Practical sessions are delivered at the East Durham College Houghall Campus and focus on the methodologies used to safely handle domestic animals and exotic animals as well as providing an opportunity to apply your knowledge of animal husbandry and management.

This module is for students interested in ecology and how complex interactions shape the distribution and abundance patterns of species in the natural environment. You examine the ecology of populations and communities, and how the integration of powerful new molecular biology technologies can inform the study of ecology and ecological interactions. You explore the underlying theories used to explain the observed spatial and temporal patterns of diversity observed and the measurements which can be used to quantify diversity. These topics are aligned to current issues, enabling you to appreciate the environmental, ethical and socio-economic concerns raised by ecological studies. Field trips give you the opportunity to sample natural environments and interpret ecological data, such as diversity indices, based on these sites.

This module introduces you to a range of modern molecular biology concepts and techniques. It addresses general molecular biology, molecular biology of genetic diseases and using molecular biology for producing recombinant proteins and forensic applications. The new age of molecular biology is underpinned by gene and genome sequencing, sequence analysis and sequence manipulation. You are introduced to the principles of sequence analysis and how these techniques have revolutionised all areas of molecular biology, particularly the technique of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). You learn through lectures and tutorials that allow you to gain insight into the theoretical aspects of molecular biology. A series of laboratory practical sessions introduce the basic techniques at the heart of modern molecular biology such as DNA purification, PCR, restriction digestion, control of gene expression, nucleic acid analysis through agarose gels and sequencing.

Central to this module is using teamwork for problem-based learning and monitored or facilitated self-directed learning. You explore the way science is communicated within the scientific community, to stakeholders and the general public. You discuss and critically analyse the different communication methods. You are also introduced to bioethical issues central to your programme of study. You are expected to debate these issues and sensibly communicate the complexity of the themes which are embedded within the scientific disciplines.

You will take this module if you are studying a science degree and complete a hypothesis-driven research project at Level 6 of your degree studies. It is delivered though lectures, tutorials and workshops.

You develop a proposal for your research project, which includes an explanation of the project targeted at both a specialist audience and the general public, and details of experimental design and statistical analysis to be employed. The proposal considers academic beneficiaries and economic, environmental and societal impacts. Project costs are estimated on the basis of a full economic costing model. In addition, the proposal is supported by a targeted CV.

A short lecture series at the start of the academic year provides you with an introduction to the module and advice on completing the research proposal documentation, followed by a series of assessment centre-style workshops and tasks which help assign you to a specific research project area and supervisor. These tasks familiarise you with the type of activities you might face during the application, interview and selection procedures.

You must produce a research proposal for your individual project. You are supported by a series of meetings with your supervisor to provide feedback on your progress.

For the proposal to be considered you must acquire ethical clearance from the School Research Ethics Committee. Once you are allocated a project you join discipline-based tutorials with other students. Each discipline operates tutorial sessions, which are used to provide academic guidance and support for completing ethical clearance documentation and the proposal. A series of research methodology-based workshops introduce you to various experimental designs and statistical techniques relevant to your discipline. These sessions also demonstrate how you can use software such as Minitab, SPSS and Excel to present and analyse datasets. These workshops help you decide on the design and analysis of the data associated with your project.

The module is assessed by you successfully acquiring ethical clearance (pass/fail) and submitting a completed research project proposal and supporting CV (100%).

Year 3 optional placement year

Final-year core modules

Develop your entrepreneurship skills and understand the process of business start-up and learning to manage animal production and care ventures. Connect to the real-world experience of launching a new business venture and product development. Experience the challenges similar to those encountered in the launch of either a large or companion animal welfare or management product from concept to application. You learn about product development, regulatory control and intellectual property rights. You are also taught how to write and produce a business plan.

Develop a detailed understanding of the applied aspects of nutrition and its interaction with growth and other physiological activities of domestic animals. You consider the formulation of diets for a range of animals (farm livestock and companion animals) such as devising diets, considering nutritional requirements for animals at different life stages, monitoring the impact of diet in practical situations (farms and kennels), as well as discussing the differential maturity of individual carcass components. Practical sessions are delivered at the East Durham College Houghall Campus and focus on the methodologies used to formulate a food ration for different species including observing how rations are mixed on the college farm using different feeds to formulate the ration for beef cattle (with silage grains and protein concentrate and vitamins and minerals) and/or pigs (barley beans, vitamins and minerals).

You bring together a range of practical and academic skills, developed in previous years of study, to interrogate a particular aspect of your field of study. This piece of work allows you to specialise in a particular area of science and involves a significant individual contribution.

This module is ideal for you if you’re interested in the biogeographical distribution of species and how this information can inform conservation practices.

Biogeography, with its focus on the distribution of species at a range of scales, provides an important theoretical framework within which ecosystem services, and the increasing impact of human activity on global biodiversity and ecosystem functions, can be evaluated.

You explore the contribution of habitat destruction and fragmentation and invasive species to biodiversity losses. You examine underlying principles in biogeography, including the historical development of the discipline, and investigates how these principles can inform effective conservation practices targeted at preventing biodiversity losses. You explore how endangered species are characterised, the selection and design of conservation areas, and the legal and policy frameworks in place to support conservation efforts.

The module is for life and environmental sciences students. You explore key areas in which biological-based technologies have the potential to offer more sustainable solutions to environmental problems. You consider the complementary and multidisciplinary analytical techniques that are used to understand and ensure the sustainable management of different ecological systems. You learn through a combination of lectures, student-led seminars, tutorial sessions and a field trip where possible.

Modules offered may vary.

How you learn

You attend a range of lectures, seminars, hands-on laboratory sessions and animal handling sessions at Houghall Farm. Part of your course also involves a substantial research-based project.

The course provides a number of contact teaching and assessment hours (such as lectures, seminars, laboratory work, projects, examinations), but you are also expected to undertake self-study time to review lecture notes, prepare coursework assignments, work on projects and revise for assessments. You study 120 credits over one year of full-time study. Each unit of credit is equivalent to 10 hours of learning and assessment (contact hours plus self-study hours). So, during one year of full-time study you can expect to have 1,200 hours of learning and assessment.

One module in each year of your study involves a compulsory one-week block delivery period. This intensive problem-solving week provides you with an opportunity to focus your attention on particular problems and enhance your team-working and employability skills.

From Year 1 onwards, you attend Houghall Farm one day per week for the specialist animal-based modules.

How you are assessed

Your learning involves different types of assessment including coursework assignments and examinations.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

We are committed to widening participation and encourage all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. We operate a flexible admissions policy taking into consideration individual circumstances, including personal achievements, relevant experience, personal qualities, as well as qualifications and grades.

You must have studied at least one relevant subject at Level 3. Eligible subjects include:

Biology

Applied Science

Alternative equivalent UK and international qualifications and subjects are also considered.If you are not eligible for Year 1 entry, we also offer this course with an integrated foundation year.

Direct entry to later years If you have previously studied a relevant subject at a higher level (HNC, HND or one or more years of a degree at another institution) we can consider you for direct entry to Year 2 or Final Year of this course. Please provide us with a complete detailed transcript of your previous studies with your application to help us determine your eligibility for advanced entry.

Interviews You may be invited to attend an interview to help us reach an offer decision. Your interview session is designed to help you by giving you the opportunity to showcase your individual strengths and qualities that define your potential to succeed on your chosen course. You may receive a more flexible offer following a good interview performance. It is important to us that you reach an informed decision on where to study so we make every effort to provide you with information, guidance and advice to help you make the right choice. During your visit you will have the opportunity to learn more about your course, see our excellent facilities, meet staff and students, and learn more about studying at Teesside University. We receive very positive feedback from visiting students and we are confident you will find your visit a useful experience too.

English language requirements Entry to a degree programme requires you to have a good command of spoken and written English. An example of an acceptable qualification is GCSE English Language at grade 4, or a pass in Level 2 Functional Skills.

Because this course is taught jointly at Teesside University and East Durham College, this course is not accepting applications from Tier 4 international students.

You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.Find out more about RPL

Employability

Career opportunities

This course provides you with the skillset to support the animal care industry. The sector is worth £1bn to the UK economy and has 13,000 businesses and around 78,000 employees. Graduates can go on to work in boarding kennels, catteries, pet breeders, training, grooming, animal welfare charities, zoos, wildlife parks, public services and with performing animals in film and television.

Work placement

We produce graduates with the problem-solving and leadership skills necessary to forge successful careers.

Between your second year and final year, you have the option to spend a year developing your skills through a work placement. A dedicated work placement officer and the University's careers service help to support you when applying for a placement. Advice is also available on job hunting and networking. Employers are often invited to our School to meet you and present you with opportunities for work placements.

By taking a work placement year you gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also gain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.

Throughout this course, you get to know prospective employers and extend your professional network. An increasing number of employers view a placement as a year-long interview and, as a result, placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process.